The developers of Subnautica 2 have confirmed that players will still be unable to kill fish in the underwater survival sequel, maintaining a design choice that distinguishes the series from many other survival games. However, an upcoming update — launching the day after the article's publication — will introduce a new option to "stun" fish instead, giving players a means of dealing with aquatic creatures without lethal force.

The distinction matters because it reflects the game's broader ethos, in which players survive an alien ocean without simply hunting and slaughtering wildlife. The addition of a stun mechanic offers a middle ground, allowing players to fend off or temporarily incapacitate fish while preserving the no-kill principle that fans associate with the franchise.